St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-11-28
L.OBSTERS.
Some Facts Concerning the War
riOrs of the Deep.

ffOrS OF the Deep.
During the early part of its growth,
says the Baltimore Sun, the lobster casts
the whole of its shell frequently-in the
second year every two mOnthS-but as
its size increases a new dress is less
often required, till at last, when arrived
at the fuilness of physical dignity, its
armor grows, as it were, rusty, and be-
comes coated over with parasitic shells.
DR.. Peard tells us that 1.-The lobster
only increases in size during the short
period of melting. but this increase is so
great that it is almost as difficult to be-
lieve the cast-off clothes ever fitted the
large. tleshy mass lying languidly be-
side them as that the gigantic genie
ever came out of the jar. the lid of which
had been in an evil hour removed by the
Arabian fisherman
When the pea is sufficiently ripe the
fish has the power to place her eggs
under the protection of her Over-arch
ing shell. where they advance grad
ually to maturity. one lobster producing
from 10000 TO $4,000 eggs each
season. The spawn is thus cal
ricd by the mother till nearly
fit to commence independent life,
and when cast off soon gives birth to
the young lobster, which grows rapidly,
but passes through many changes be-
fore it assumes the form and color with
which ordinary observers are most IA
miliar.
Enormous as is the increase from a
single female lobster, their numbers are
considerably diminished by predatory
fish, which deyour them with great
ayidity and relish. but we are told that
the mother protects her progeny to the
Il
with the deposit of her spawn, but con-
tinues it in very pleasing and interest
ing manner longer than in most animals
of a far higher grade of organization.
Many fishermen assert that they
have frequently seen during the sea-
son the old Holsters with their young
around them. Some of these infants
have been noticed at six inches long.
the old lobster with her head peeping
out from under rock. the young ones
playing around her. She appeared to
rattle her claws Oh the approach of the
fisherman, when heScf and young
family took refuge under the rocks; the
rafting was no doubt to take the alarm.
This is told by old and experienced men,
without the slightest concert or question
of COLLISION.
WHO, after this. will not believe i'll the
loves Ol tilt IOliNltl Dr. Nl4ltHElA dS III al
oyster crossed i'll its affections?
The Holsters home. says DR.. Peard.
lis in the purcSt water. beneath which
he walks through brown and tangled
forests of palmy weeds, warrior i'll
full paHop'y. ever ready 10 do battle
with all tCmerS."
1t is here III rocky ground and III the
Businesses such localities afford to Il
creature - frequently defenSeless he
feeds chiefly on the aquatic vegetation
which surrounds him, chopping up his
salad with the large claw. little CON
sciouS how his example may be followed
by man al Il feast at which he may be
the principal invited guest.
Lobsters and crabs vary i'll their tastes.
LobsterS will be attracted 10y almost
ANY description of offal, the more pu-
crescent the better: the crab will re-
fuse to enter if the bait is not sweet and
fresh.
Dr. Blakey says the lobster is conSid-
cred an unclean cater. and is often
called the Scayenger of the sea. He Isl
fierce marauder. bouncing on dead or
living substances of all kinds. He ap-
pears to have powerful sense of smell,
although 10 distinct organs for this
office have yet been detected. His car
niyorOuS vOracity leads to the animals
destruction. Baited traps made Of
strong twigs, like the common wire
mousetrapS, are lowered into the water
and marked with buoy. and these be-
come the most effectual means Of cap
turing this epicurean cruStacean.